Systematics   

Description   

Distribution & Habitat   

Culture

Propagation

Uses

References

Asparagus setaceus

Variety plumosus

 

  

   

Asparagus fern

Kingdom: Plantae

Phlyum: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Order: Liliales

Family: Liliaceae

Genus: Asparagus

Species: setaceus

Variety: plumosus

Description

Common asparagus fern is not a fern, but rather a ferny-looking member of the lily family. It has feathery, fernlike evergreen foliage that actually consists of clusters of wiry, bright green stems arranged in flat, leaflike sprays. The plant is bushy, but the elongating stems, with their recurved spines, can clamber and sprawl up to ten feet. Tiny white flowers are produced in the spring, followed by purplish-black berries.

Distribution and Habitat

The asparagus fern is native to moist forests in South Africa. It is widely cultivated for its fine-textured foliage and has escaped cultivation to become a common weed in south-central Florida.

 Cultural Information

  

Soil · average soil is adequate

Water requirement grow best with regular watering, but allow soil to dry out between waterings

Light · tolerates wide ranges of light; although partial shade is best

Humidity average to moist humidity
Temperature · best temperagure range is cool to average
Other · Asparagus ferns are very easy to grow. Also, cutting a few of the longest stems to the ground each spring will encourage new growth.

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Propagation Methods   

 

The best means of propagation for the asparagus fern is from seeds or by division of the root mass in the spring.

  

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Propagation photo taken by Amy Helms for Botany, March 2001

Uses/ Fun Facts

The flat, fern-like brances are used in floral displays. The asparagus fern is also used in men's boutonnieres or in floral arrangements.

Asparagus fern is also most notably known for its presence in hanging baskets.  

 General References

Anonymous 1. 2001. Protoasparagus setaceus. http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/prot_set.cfm Date accessed: 28 February 2001.

Anonymous 2. 2001. Asparagus fern. http://members.nbci.com/_XMCM/taliskercats/asparagusfern.html Date accessed: 23 February 2001.

Perry L. 1997. Asparagus densiflorus, setaceus. http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/fernasp.html Date accessed: 23 February 2001.

  

   

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Image References:   

URL specified below each image.

  

This page was developed by:   

Amy Helms

W&J Class of 2001  

   

Last revised on May 1, 2001